Saticoy man found guilty of child molestation

A jury Tuesday found a 65-year-old Saticoy man guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14 years old, who was molested from the age of 8 to about 11, according to prosecutors.

The lawyer for defendant Mike Ortega, Joseph Martinez, said he was surprised by the jury’s verdict.

“It came as a real surprise to me given the evidence presented,” Martinez said. “I think there was a lot of inconsistent evidence.”

Superior Court Judge Bruce Young ordered Ortega, who had been free on $50,000 bail, to be taken into custody and held in Ventura County Jail. Martinez tried unsuccessfully to get the judge to allow his client to remain free on bail until sentencing.

Ortega is now facing up to 16 years in prison and will be sentenced April 28, according to prosecutor Gilbert Romero.

The trial lasted nearly five days. The victim, who is related to Ortega, testified in court along with her mother and best friend.

Romero said Ortega molested the child by kissing her and putting his tongue in her mouth, his hand on her thigh and his elbow on her chest.

The molestation occurred from 2003 to 2006.

The defendant also testified during the trial, saying that the victim was lying.

Outside the courtroom, five jurors met with Romero, Martinez and Sheriff’s Department Detective Alberto Miramontes to discuss the case after the verdict.

One juror said the victim’s testimony was “extraordinarily credible.” Another said he thought Martinez did a good job in the courtroom.

During the discussion in the courtroom hallway, Miramontes turned to Martinez and asked if he was still convinced of his client’s innocence. “Yeah,” Martinez replied.